Comparative Education: A Brazilian Perspective

Abstract

The Brazilian Comparative Society was founded in 1983. Comparative education was a strong component of the curriculum of the courses of pedagogy in the period of “Escola Nova,” but this focus changed. In the early 21st century, Brazilian comparative education is no longer a required discipline in the curriculum of most education programs. Comparative education in the Brazilian context has a unique “meaning or use,” which is not the same concept or scientific definition used in other regions. Second, Brazilian comparative education is characterized by an “outsider” perspective, which is a product of post-colonialism and a history of underdevelopment. Third, the majority of comparative education scholars in Brazil are limited by language since most speak and read Portuguese or Spanish only, and much of the research literature in the field is written in English or other foreign languages. The Sociedade Brasileira de Educação Comparada (SBEC) is a small society that is poised to meet the needs and interests of a growing number of members, and the best strategy is to diversify activities and involve the largest possible numbers of associates.

Citation

Luz Sisson de Castro, M. (2014), "Comparative Education: A Brazilian Perspective", Annual Review of Comparative and International Education 2013 (International Perspectives on Education and Society, Vol. 20), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 43-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3679(2013)0000020007